BluVibez Cafe — Restaurant in Eastern Cape

I was unsure about writing this review, as we tried to sort it out with the manager in person. And we handshook and greeted and yes maybe one day we will return.

But I just feel that the service we received is not acceptable.

We ordered a t-bone, rumps and sirloin. Waited a long time for the food. The waiter did come to explain almost before our food came out that it will be another 5 min.

The sirloin was off... and i decided to handle this immediately when the child asked about it. Not knowing better and being hungry half off the meat was already eaten. After the adults smelled and realised yes this meat is definitely not fresh.

I got the waiter and he called the manager. I was extremely upset about the way this was handled. We have three adults explaining that the meat was off that a child just ate half of. Almost got the feeling that this is impossible. Yes it can surely be rare or even be the very first time... but it was true.

And we were looked at and given the explanation that it might have been matured meat or the sauce might have given the meat some different taste. Asking if our meat was fine. (Later this was denied and i was told no he only meant that the meat could have been matured and received from the suppliers as they do not buy matured meat.)

I wanted our complaint to be acknowledged...and i strongly feel it wasn't.

I insisted that he smell the meat at our table which is not ideal. Because I wanted to see his reaction and not being able to re direct his findings again. After the explanations and redirecting the possible reason. I felt that we are still not being heard.

And by that point i was even more upset. So yes he mentioned that this does not happen and he feels upset. He offered another meal it was declined.

When we paid and was at the point of leaving... i noticed how he was standing and laughing and not looking the least bit upset that customers just had to explain to a child that you will be fine after the child just ate bad rotten meat. A child scared of food poisoning.

So the advice that I gave afterwards when I saw the manager.

Next time acknowledge a complaint. Apologise and show this is priority! Remove the plate from the table and investigate in your kitchen. Come back and share your factual findings. Offer a replacement meal or a milkshake. Do not have a conversation and try to make customers feel as though they might be wrong.

We truly loved Blu vibes and visited regularly. Experiencing this...

Unfortunately this review is not about their food, as we didn't get that far.

We arrived at Blu Vibez Cafe around 1pm. On arrival we were informed that the kitchen was very busy and that we would probably wait 45min to an hour for our orders. We asked for a table inside as it was windy and we had an 7 month old baby at our table. There were no tables available inside, so we accepted to sit outside and wait for a table to become available inside. We could afford to wait as the baby and parent were still on their way.

After being seated we waited about 15mins for a waiter to come and hand us menus.

After about 40mins a table of three walked in and also sat outside. Another 10 mins went by and we saw people leaving from inside, so we sat and waited for them to clear the table and call us. In the meantime, this table that had just arrived 5 minutes ago all quickly ran inside to go sit at the table we were waiting to be seated at.

I went to the manageress to inform her that these patrons took our table and that they should ask them to move back, because we have a baby with us. Which at this point, they have just arrived outside.

The manageress then informed us that she cannot do that. Why. I have no idea. We were seated for over 50 mins waiting for the table inside and the table was then just given away. Guess it doesn't pay off to be civilized.

We have heard many stories of bad service experiences at this restaurant, but we gave them the benefit of the doubt.

If the manageress was as good in Management as she was at apologizing, people would have much better experiences at this establishment .

We took our business down the road and had a lovely time. If you're reading this. I hope you have a better experience, but don't...

Thank you Michael for the 8 seater reservation.

Special thanks to THANDI for her most courteous and friendly assistance in her waiter function.

That's where the positives sadly end and a sour disappointment aftertaste helps me decide on voting on a return with my feet ... there are alternatives to BluVibes, even though they may not think so:

R299 for 6 prawns makes R50 per prawn. That's stingy, greedy and actually a rude message to stay away. 1.a. Size of steak ... shrunk !!?? 1.b. Size of Hake ... juvenile fish, or kiddies meal size maybe ? 1.c. Steak RARE came out MEDIUM ...

R25 - R45 Xtra for minor change or swaps between sides ... your operating budget seems to be in trouble !!

NO like in NO interest by a member of the management team in our party of 8. Got the message ... "customers don't really count" ... or maybe, we hate this place, but keep hanging in until it's over !!??

Menue of the day differs clearly from the one on the website (new prices): False, Misleading Advertising !! Shame on you. Some customers are actually no dummies.

See, folks don't just come to a restaurant coz they've run out of gas or Eskom KWs or they can't cook. They want to make it a special family occasion, feel welcome and appreciated and to remember in a positive enough way of wanting to return.

Ps. In the words of world-renowned business guru Tom Peters, regard us rather as "Schmucks who walked in and walked out" ... you thus won't be able to refer to us as CUSTOMERS, who qualify for this title only once we return.

Pps. Change swiftly ......